Running Index offers an easy way to monitor performance changes. Performance (how fast/easily you run at a given pace) is directly influenced by aerobic fitness (VO2max) and training economy (how efficient your body is at running). Running Index is a measurement of this influence.

By recording your Running Index over time, you can monitor your progress. When there's improvement, it means that running at a given pace requires less effort from you. Or that your pace is faster at a given level of exertion. Running Index calculates such improvements. Running Index also gives you daily information on the level of your running performance, which may vary from day to day.

Running Index begins calculation immediately when you start recording your training. During the session, you can stop once, e.g. at traffic lights, without interrupting the calculation. Once you're done training and stop recording, your training computer displays a Running Index value and stores the result in your training files.

Changes in running circumstances, for example surface, hills, wind or temperature may show as variation in the Running Index.

Your Running Index score is calculated automatically after every run, based on your heart rate and from the speed data collected from your GPS or stride sensor.

It gives daily information about your performance level, both aerobic fitness and running economy. Use your long-term Running Index average in the interpretation of the following chart to compare your running performance with people of the same age and gender.

Men

Age / Years

Very low

Low

Fair

Moderate

Good

Very good

Elite

20-24

< 32

32-37

38-43

44-50

51-56

57-62

> 62

25-29

< 31

31-35

36-42

43-48

49-53

54-59

> 59

30-34

< 29

29-34

35-40

41-45

46-51

52-56

> 56

35-39

< 28

28-32

33-38

39-43

44-48

49-54

> 54

40-44

< 26

26-31

32-35

36-41

42-46

47-51

> 51

45-49

< 25

25-29

30-34

35-39

40-43

44-48

> 48

50-54

< 24

24-27

28-32

33-36

37-41

42-46

> 46

55-59

< 22

22-26

27-30

31-34

35-39

40-43

> 43

60-65

< 21

21-24

25-28

29-32

33-36

37-40

> 40

Women

Age / Years

Very low

Low

Fair

Moderate

Good

Very good

Elite

20-24

< 27

27-31

32-36

37-41

42-46

47-51

> 51

25-29

< 26

26-30

31-35

36-40

41-44

45-49

> 49

30-34

< 25

25-29

30-33

34-37

38-42

43-46

> 46

35-39

< 24

24-27

28-31

32-35

36-40

41-44

> 44

40-44

< 22

22-25

26-29

30-33

34-37

38-41

> 41

45-49

< 21

21-23

24-27

28-31

32-35

36-38

> 38

50-54

< 19

19-22

23-25

26-29

30-32

33-36

> 36

55-59

< 18

18-20

21-23

24-27

28-30

31-33

> 33

60-65

< 16

16-18

19-21

22-24

25-27

28-30

> 30

The classification is based on a study by Shvartz & Reibold (1990). Laboratory measured VO2max values have been collected from adults in USA, Canada and 7 European countries.

Running Index values form a trend that helps predict your success in running certain distances. The below chart estimates the duration a runner can achieve in covering certain distances. Use your long-term Running Index average to interpret the chart.
In Polar ProTrainer 5 or polarpersonaltrainer.com you can monitor and analyze your Running Index against time and different running paces how your Running Index develops. You can also compare values between different training sessions for short and long term analysis.The prediction works best for those Running Index values that have been calculated at speeds and running circumstances similar to the target performance.Estimate your running performance with Running Index

Running Index

Cooper test

5 km

10 km

Half marathon

Marathon

36

1800

0:36:20

1:15:10

2:48:00

5:43:00

38

1900

0:34:20

1:10:50

2:38:00

5:24:00

40

2000

0:32:20

1:07:00

2:29:30

5:06:00

42

2100

0:30:40

1:03:30

2:21:30

4:51:00

44

2200

0:29:10

1:00:20

2:14:30

4:37:00

46

2300

0:27:50

0:57:30

2:08:00

4:24:00

48

2400

0:26:30

0:55:00

2:02:00

4:12:00

50

2500

0:25:20

0:52:40

1:57:00

4:02:00

52

2600

0:24:20

0:50:30

1:52:00

3:52:00

54

2700

0:23:20

0:48:30

1:47:30

3:43:00

56

2800

0:22:30

0:46:40

1:43:30

3:35:00

58

2900

0:21:40

0:45:00

1:39:30

3:27:00

60

3000

0:20:50

0:43:20

1:36:00

3:20:00

62

3100

0:20:10

0:41:50

1:32:30

3:13:00

64

3200

0:19:30

0:40:30

1:29:30

3:07:00

66

3300

0:18:50

0:39:10

1:26:30

3:01:00

68

3350

0:18:20

0:38:00

1:24:00

2:55:00

70

3450

0:17:50

0:36:50

1:21:30

2:50:00

72

3550

0:17:10

0:35:50

1:19:00

2:45:00

74

3650

0:16:40

0:34:50

1:17:00

2:40:00

76

3750

0:16:20

0:33:50

1:14:30

2:36:00

78

3850

0:15:50

0:33:00

1:12:30

2:32:00

It is worth remembering that in addition to good Running Index, maximal running performance demands good preparation, optimal running conditions, speed endurance and guts. Training quantity and quality have an affect as well as natural talent.

When you get Check S sensor on display, press OK to confirm. Soon after you can see speed and distance data sent by the sensor.

After training you will see Running Index both in File on the training computer, and in ProTrainer 5 software or polarpersonaltrainer.com after data sync.

When using RS800CX with G5/G3 GPS sensor, select one of the shoes (Shoe1/Shoe2/Shoe3) and enable G5/G3 GPS sensor to get Running Index value shown both in training computer file and ProTrainer 5 software. If you cannot see your Running Index, it is likely that you have recorded the session in
None mode.

Before training make sure you have footpod selected in settings. After training you will see Running Index both in File on the training computer, and in ProTrainer 5 software or polarpersonaltrainer.com after sync.

Running Index was introduced to Polar Beat mobile application in version 1.2. and is available as an in-app purchase. To make the purchase in the AppStore, open Polar Beat application and go to Upgrades. You will also need a a compatible Polar heart rate sensor. After a running session you'll see your Running Index in the training result.

To receive the most accurate information on your performance, make sure you have set your HRmax and HRrest values. Calculation begins when you start recording the session. During a session, you may stop twice at traffic lights, for example, without interrupting the calculation. After your session, V800 displays a Running Index value and stores the result in the training summary.

On V800, Running Index takes the effect of uphills and downhills into account. At a given pace, running uphill is physiologically more stressful than running on a level surface, and running downhill is physiologically less stressful than running on a level surface. Please note that altitude data must be available for up- and downhills to be taken into account.

To receive the most accurate information on your performance, make sure you have set your HRmax value. Calculation begins when you start recording the session. During a session, you may stop twice at traffic lights, for example, without interrupting the calculation. After your session, M400 displays a Running Index value and stores the result in the training summary.